Royal British Legion club closes after 93 years in Bracknell

Bracknell's Royal British Legion Club has closed after 93 years, but the charity will keep going

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A club used by ex-servicemen and women, as well as regulars, has closed its doors after running at a loss for seven years.

The bar at the Royal British Legion, Stanley Walk, ceased trading on Sunday, March 10, but the charity wants to reassure people the branch, as a separate entity, will continue to offer its services.

Members also hope to continue to hold a Remembrance Day parade in the town centre each November.

A Royal British Legion spokeswoman said: “Legion Clubs are run entirely separately from The Royal British Legion’s branches and the charity’s welfare work.

“The Legion has no responsibility for the management of the clubs which are run as businesses.

“The Legion was advised the Bracknell club would cease trading due to insolvency.

“The Legion’s club business advisor offered assistance to the management and members in their time of need, and advised on how best to manage the closure.”

Trustee of the building Gordon Stevens explained the club suffered cash flow problems for a number of years, racking up losses of more than £7,000 since 2006.

In the last financial year it made a loss of £1,228.

He said: “The licence trade has been on the knife edge with pubs and clubs shutting every day of the week and we are no exception.

“We have more than 500 members but those using it were dropping off and dropping off with very few of us on a regular basis.”

The club committee made the decision to close the bar after it was unable to meet its debts.

Gordon added: “The overheads and costs of running the place far outweighed the income.”

But the volunteers who run the club, which has been in Bracknell for 93 years, want people to know it is just the social side closing and services will continue for servicemen and women, former and current, and their families.

Gordon said: “The charity side will still operate – the members do it for nothing.

“They visit people in hospital and homes and the parade will hopefully still go ahead although that costs an arm and a leg.

“Whatever happens we will still gather round the memorial.”

It is hoped the club will be re-opened to maintain the social aspect.

Gordon said: “Before long we will reform to serve our obligation to our members – possibly as an ex-servicemen social club.

“It is all up in the air so we can’t be specific about anything while it is in the hands of the Legion administrators.”